Edge binder for furniture top surfacing material



Dec. 8, 1936. J. R. CLARK 2,063,725

EDGE BINDER FOR FURNITURE TOP SURFAGING MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 29; 1927 .52 v 27 25 ,gf/v" ...,.f.-.r... f 111111111 zz/1 ////////l/////,|7//1111l11l11l111111111111l1111 111111111111 11111111111, Z1 j 27 25 A 25 3 /f/Jm, MEAN Dec. 8, 1936. J. R. CLARK 2,063,725

EDGE BINDER FOR FURNITURE TOP SURFACING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 29, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. R. CLARK 2,063,725

EDGEBINDER FOR FURNITURE TOP SURFACING MATERIAL Dec. 8, 1936.

Filed Aug, 29, 1927 6 Sheets-Sl'let-31'l 5 J. R. CLARK Dec. 8, 1936.

EDGE BINDER FOR FURNITURE TOP sURFAcING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 29, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 327 ///26 NEIN Ml%`&\

l Y Dec. 8, 1936. 1 R, CLARK 2,063,725

u EDGE: BINDER Fon FURNITURE ToP SURFACING MATERIAL y Filed Aug. 29, 1927 6 SheebS--Sllee'fI 5 @ya www Wl Uil] @a J1 l 'THM gli Hh. 1

{fm/W29,

fa/72615? if f T gradu/ f M MM @a Patented `Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES APATENTl OFFICE EDGE nimma Foa nmmma'ror sparsame Mannini.

James B. Clark. Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Yawman Erbe Mfg. Co.. Rochester N. Y., a

My invention is chiefly concerned `with an improved construction of binding strip for dressing and protecting the edge of a sheet of linoleum or other surfacing material as employed on metal furniture tops and cabinets, wood or metal counter, stair treads, and the like.

Preferably my improved, binding strip construction employs a binding strip itself of L- or J-shaped cross-section, the major leg being inserted in a marginal recess or slot which may conveniently be formedv between the under side of the top plate and the upper side of a clamping strip secured immediately beneath the top plate and pinching the binding strip between it and the top plate. The binding strip is thus held in place under heavy friction, and by friction alone, thereby eliminating the use of nuts and bolts, screws. rivets, punches, etc., for its securement. The binding can be applied without removing the top or otherwise dismantling the article to be covered. And by applying the binding strip after the linoleum is laid, I simplify the problem of trimming the edges of the linoleum. This materially facilitates its application, not only cutting down labor cost in the factory, but making it convenient for application by workmen on theA job.

A trimness of appearance effected by a narrow exposure of the binding strip free from any exposed rivets, bolts or the like is another possible advantage of my invention.

. My binding strip, being held by friction, mayv be Withdrawn slightly if necessary to relieve puckering of the linoleum, should it swell in dampA weather. When the linoleum again contracts,

the binding strip can be driven back inwardly to` maintain a tight ilt against the edge of the' linoleum. Also, if the linoleum is not cut with a perfectly straight edge my binding strip is suill- 40 ciently flexible in itself and in its securement to the top plate, to permit its conforming itself to the edge of the linoleum and thereby avoid the untidy appearance of dirt-collecting crevices. My binding strip may similarly easily be withdrawn without the necessity of dismantling the top in case the linoleum is to be renewed or receor less continuous unnotiched strip. The binding may readily be applied by the dealer to installations without delay in awaiting special factory work on the binding devices. This elimination of special work considerably lessens the cost to the consumer and makes possible immediate deliveries and installations.

A further object of my invention is the design of a top construction for a' filing cabinet, desk, or the like which is adapted at any time to the reception of a linoleum-top edged with my binding strip, but which presents a neat and practical appearance if used without the linoleum and binding strip.

Another object of my invention is an improved furniture top construction, and especially a construction permitting a ready and accurate alinement of the tops for a battery of juxtaposed units, so that especially when a continuous sheet of linoleum or other surfacing material is applied to surface a plurality of adjacent tops, no objectionable joint will show through on the top of the linoleum.

This latter end I effect by use of an alining strip entering opposed recesses in the adjacent upper edges of the tops of the adjoining units. Preferably these recesses are the same recesses in which the binding strips would otherwise be clamped.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of my invention are set forth in the following description of specific embodiments thereof and in the accompanying drawings wherein:

f v Figure l is a perspective view of a battery of three filing cabinets provided with a unitary linoleum top secured by the binding strip construction of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, the cross-hatching being eliminated on the section parts for clarity;

-Figure 3 is an enlarged corner section similar to that at the left-hand side of Figure 2 but upon an enlarged scale and without the linoleum covering and without the binding strip;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the linoleum and binding strip applied;

Figure' is a plan view of the battery of filing cabinets shown in Figure 1 and illustrating the manner of application of the binding strips;

'Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the binding strips properly notched and cut to embrace theV linoleum top covering and binding strip, and broken away to reveal the transverse cross-sectitli and especially to show the use of an alining S P;

Figure 8 shows a construction similar to Figure 4 but adapted specifically for a metal desk top construction the downwardly depending ange being arranged to simulate the thickness of a desk top;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating a variation in the form of the binding strip and incorporating a more or less positive block for the binding strip by a deformation effected by acenter punch or the like;

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another variation of positive locking means incorporating spaced alined holes in the spaced plates between which the binding strip enters;

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate another modification of my corner construction and one which is especially adapted for binding strips for covering material laid on a wooden counter, wooden desk top, stair tread or the like, Figure 12 showing the construction before, and Figure 13 after, the application of the linoleum and the binding strip;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the construction of Figures 12 and 13 showing the use of an alining strip across a butt joint formed in the clamping strips;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 13 butV showing an alternative construction.

As the application of a linoleum or other surfacing material top, and a binding strip edge construction therefor, on a single or a battery of filing cabinets or other counter height umts constitutes one of the most important applications of my invention, I have chosen to show it as applied to a battery of counter height filing cabinets, although of course it will be appreciated that my invention is susceptible of numerous other applications not only in the particular forms and structures shown, but in many variations as well.

The battery of filing cabinets shown in Figure 1, comprises three units 20 secured together in any suitable way such as by the usual clamping bolts passing through juxtaposed side walls. Each unit carries at its upper end a cap or subtop 2i having integral depending lateral flanges 22 on each of the four sides. The upper ends of the side walls 23 are suitably set back as at 24 (Fig. 2) to permit the cap 2i fitting snugly over the upper end of the side walls with the exterior of the flanges 22 in alinemeritl with the exterior of the exposed side walls 23. The cap or sub-top 2| has a, central elevated panel leaving a depressed marginal frame portion 25. An incidental result of this paneled effect is that it serves to give greater rigidity to the top. A super-top or upper top plate 26 lies upon, and is preferably spotwelded to, the sub-top 2i with its edges overlying the marginal depressed regions 25 of the sub-top leaving a marginal recess 21 therebetween. The outer edges of the top plate 26 preferably come out ush with the lateral walls of the units, that is ush with the outer surfaces of the depending flanges 22. For the sake of clarity in the drawings the size of the recess 21 in Figure 3 for example has been exaggerated, but it will be understood that in practice although the slot or recess is there, the plates forming the recess are vpreferably sprung together slightly so that the actual space is less and almost unnoticed by casual glance. I make this point because I consider it quite advantageous to have the recess 21 as inconspicuous as possible so that the cabinet units accenna may be used without linoleum tops or binding strips 'and still present a neat and trim appearance. This makes it entirely feasible for a manufacturer to standardize on one type of cabinet top construction which may be used either with or without a covering material such as linoleum. As a result the dealers stock can be reduced and also the purchaser may at any subsequent time use his units in an arrangement where a linoleum top becomesl desirable. And even though a particular purchaser may never want to use a top covering onhis cabinets, still their resale value is increased because of the greater range of utility to subsequent purchasers.

I shall next describe the application of a linoleum top, and of the binding strip for the edge thereof. While I illustrate and describe a sheet of linoleum for the top covering, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be construed as specifically limited to linoleum. Any other generally similar sheet material could satisfactorily be substituted. Or rubber tiles in small squares for example could be used. Also strips of contrasting colors of linoleum can be used to incorporate a design in the top. If the appearance of wood is desirable, a panel of wood veneer could be used instead of the linoleum. Similarly ceramic or other clay tiles could be used and protected at their edges 'by the same structure of binding strip. It would even be practicable to use my binding strip for securing a glass top on the cabinets, protecting its edges against chipping and holding the glass against displacement. The foregoing, however, is not an exhaustive catalog of the available substitutions, but merely a suggestion as to the wide scope of uses to which my invention may be applied.

In those instances where a battery of counter height units are to be set together-and whether or not they are to be covered with the linoleumit is desirable, because of the unevenness of the floor or inaccuracies in uniformity of production of the cabinets, to employ some means of positively alining the top surfaces where they juxtapose. An alining strip 28 which consists merely in a fiat strip of sheet metal about an inch wide and of a length about an inch less than the depth of the unit, is inserted in the respective opposed recesses 21 along the contiguous upper edges of two juxtaposed units as shown in Figure 2 and more clearly in the perspective of Figure 7. The method of inserting this aligning strip 28 is preferably to drive it laterally into the recess on one of the units, and then bring the two units together with the'outer lateral edge of the strip entering the opposed recess of the other unit, and then pushing or hammering the two units together. Although the alining strip 'be formed from relatively thin metal, its entire area is tightly clamped in either one or the other of the opposed recesses leaving insufficient region for any appreciable flexure. The result therefore is to bring the adjacent edges of the two top plates 26 into a iiush butt joint. This joint may thus be made so inconspicuous as to present the practical appearance and feel of a continuous sheet metal top, in the event that no linoleum cover is applied. If a linoleum cover is applied the advantage of this positively alined joint is to preclude the wearing up of a ridge on the upper surface of the linoleum.

In the application of the linoleum, a sheet of linoleum 29 is preferably cut approximately to the size required. It is then cemented to the upper surface of the top plates 26, and, as is the usual edge oi' the cabinet and hammered into the corpractice, weighted down -with sand bags and allowed to set over night. After the cement has sumclently set. and if the linoleum has not been cut accurately to the perimeter of the top plates 23, it may be trimmed with a knife, using the peripheral top plates. as guides. This, it will be observed, is an advantage which cannot be obtained when the linoleum has to be applied after the binding bead is put in place. One can readily appreciate that it is much simpler to trim the linoleum to the correct size from a roll of stock. And by the use of my method it is not necessary, even though the sheet could be cut tothe correct size, to take so much pains in correctly positioning the sheet on the top plates before the cement starts to harden.

The binding strip 30 itself is of an angle crosssection, including a horizontal flange 3| and a vertical flange 32. 'I'he horizontal flange 3| is adapted to be inserted in the recess or slot 21 and driven thereinto. The flange 3| is of slightly greater thickness than the normal height of the slot 21, so that in entering it springs apart the plates defining the recess 21. This serves to hold the strip under heavy friction, preferably requiring the use of a hammer to effect its entrance. The upper and inner edge of the flange 32 of the binding strip is preferably turned backwardiy into something of a knife edge 32' which imbeds itself in the edge of the linoleum. The flange 32 does not come to quite as high a level as the top surface of the linoleum, so that there is no opportunity for anything to catch behind the knife edge 32 and tend to pull the binding strip out of the recess 21. On the other hand there is insuiiicient exposure of the lateral edge of the linoleum to permit of its being damaged or scuifed up. Preferably the binding strip does not have to be driven in quite far enough in the inner side of the vertical flange 32 to strike the lateral edge of the top plate 2B. 'Ihis makes it possible to drive the binding strip in a little farther should the linoleum subsequently tend to shrink slightly.

The binding strip 32 will project slightly beyond the plane of the lateral wall of the unit, in the arrangement shown in Figure 4. This projection of trimness.

is not objectionable, for it gives a desirable effect If for any reason it is desired to eliminate the overhanglng of the alining strip, this may be effected by cutting a little off the marginal edges of the top plate 26. I prefer not to do this however because, since the units will often be used without linoleum tops or binding strips, it is advantageous to preserve a neater appearance for the upper corner of the units by bringing the top plate 28 out flush with the lateral walls.

In order to reduce the amount of special work required in the installation of a linoleum top unit or battery of units, and to reduce the variety ,of stock required to be carried by a dealer, I prefer to standardize on a unit 3| of binding strip such as shown in Figure 6. The overall length of this strip is equal to the depth of a cabinet unit plus its width. At a distance inwardly from each end of the strip equal to half the width of the cabinet unit, I provide a V-shaped notch 33 leaving at the apex of the notch, only the vertical flange 32. To apply this standard unit binding strip 3l', the intermediary reach between the notches 33 is alined along a side edge of the cabinet and pounded into the recess 21, leaving the outer reaches of the strip projecting beyond the front and rear edges. Each of these projecting reaches is then bent toward the adjacent `end responding recess 21. The horizontal flanges 3i, which had been notched to 90 at 33, then form miter joints. The end reaches of the unit strip 2l extend to the mathematical midpoint of the respective cabinet unit. Another standard unit binding strip 3i' is similarly applied to the side of the cabinet unit at the other end of the linoleum. Referring to Figure 5, where the linoleum top covers three units, this leaves, at each side, a gap equal to twice the width of the cabinet unit. Binding strips of the requisite length for filling in these gaps are then out from more or less continuous lengths of binding strip, and are driven into the respective recesses 21, as shown at the upper edge of Figure 5. This done, the application of the linoleum top and binding strip is completed and with practically no waste of material and in a minimum of time. In the instance of a single unit to be covered` the second standard length notched binding strip 3|' would nicely complete the binding of the entire periphery.

The outstanding advantages which I again wish to point out are that the work can be installed by a relatively unskilled workman at the purchasers file room or oice, and without the necessity of making up anything first in the` dealers work rooms, or at the manufacturers factory. No special work or parts are required no matter how big or irregular in shape the linoleum top may be. If an angular cabinet unit is used to carry the cabinet around the corner to accommodate it to some physical irregularity in the room or building where installed, the binding strip will readily follow it, notches similar to those shown at 33 in Figure 6 being employed if the binding strip must make abrupt turns, If the dealer has the required stock of cabinet units on hand, the only delay attendant to an installation is the over night delay waiting for the 1inoleum cement to set. The application of tho binding strip itself requires a negligible amount of time.

Sometimes the linoleum will expand in damp Weather, or under other adverse conditions, forming puckers or rolls. This condition can readily be relieved when my binding strip construction is used, for the binding strip along the affected region can be withdrawn slightly, by the aid of a screw driver or a pair of pliers, sumciently to allow the linoleum to resume an even surface. If the linoleum subsequently contracts, the binding strip can readily be made to follow it by a few taps with a hammer. Similarly, if the linoleum is to be renewed, or to be recemented, the binding strips can be pulled out and used for a second time without impairing their effectiveness or appearance. If the binding strip suffers an injury at some region which permanently deforms it and gives it an unsightly appearance. it is not necessary to remove the entire binding strip, or loosen the cemented linoleum, or send to the manufacturers factory for a substitute binding strip cut to size, for the dealer can readily pull out the binding strip for a little distance, cut out the damaged portion, and substitute a new length, cut to size from his stock strip material-all without any considerable expense or delay or impairment of the attractiveness of the binding.

In applying my invention to the top of a steelv desk, I prefer to use a modified construction such as shown in Figure 8. Here the maior or central area of the top does not consist of two thicknesses of sheet metal, but only of the top plate 26. The depending lateral ange instead of being formed from a sub-top is applied as a marginal strip, spot-welded to the top plate 26 and mitered at the corners. This strip which have designated generally in Figure 8 as 35, consists of a horizontal ange 35 immediately underlying the top plate 2G and spot-welded thereto, a down wardly offset horizontal portion 31 toward the outer edge, forming between it and the top plate 26 the recess 21, a deep down-turned vertical ange 38 simulating the thickness of the desk top, and a backwardly or rearwardly turned horizontal flange 39 simulating the under surface of the thickness of a desk top. The rebent flange 39 extends to the side wall 40 of the desk.

A modied form of binding strip is illustrated in Figure 9 where the binding strip is given a greater vertical exposure by including a region 4| of double thickness embracing the upper edge of the iiange 38. In Figure 9 I have also illustrated a practicable way of positively locking the binding strip in the recess 21. This is accomplished by a conical deformation 42 made with a center punch or other suitable tool which ei'- fects an interlocking deformation of the superposed layers of metal. Such a deformation does not necessarily wholly prevent the subsequent withdrawal of the binding strip but makes it much more difcult than as though it were held with friction alone. It is to be observed, however, that although this more or less positive locking means is employed, it does not necessitate a predetermining of the extent to which the binding strip will be driven into the recess 21, but permits the margin of the linoleum to determine this. In Figures 10 and 11, I have shown another method of more positively locking the binding strip in place. In this instance the depressed horizontal iange 31 of the rail member 35 and the top plate 26 thereabove are provided at spaced intervals with alined holes 43. After the binding strip is driven in place, a suitable punching tool may be inserted in the hole 43 from beneath the horizontal ange 31 and the binding strip, at the region exposed by the holes 43, deformed as shown in Figure l1 into the hole 43 in the top plate 26 to lock it against dislodgment. This punching may conveniently be done before the top structure is secured to the desk body. In the construction of Figures 10 and 11 also, it will be noted, the binding strip need not be driven any predetermined distance into the recess 21.

While I have shown these auxiliary means for securing a more positive lock of the binding strip, I do not consider for most practical purposes, such a locking means as necessary. I have found that in practice a sufiicient frictional clamping may be maintained to insure against an accidental dislodgment or withdrawal of the binding strip. As previously pointed out there is preferably no opportunity a'orded for anything catching on the binding strip to effect its accidental withdrawal. And in any event it is driven in the recess with such a tight t that it requires a definite effort to withdraw it.

My invention is also adaptable to binding edge constructions where the linoleum instead of being applied to steel l furniture, is applied to wooden furniture, wooden-top cabinets, woodentop counters, table tops, wooden stair treads, and the like. As shown in Figure 12 the marginal edge of the wooden top or the like has its upper and outer corner rabbeted as at 5I for the reception of a clamping member 52, formed from a longitudinally rebent strip of metal providing. clo'sely spaced horizontal anges with a. recess 53 therebetween. The recess 53 is considerably longer than the ange 3| of the binding strip 30 which it receives (see Fig. 13).

At a distance outwardly from its inner or webbed end the clamping strip 52 is pierced by spaced alined holes for clamping screws 54, the heads of which are countersunk in the upper flange of the strip. The screws 54 are preferably turned down tightly enough to spring the upper iiange toward the lower flange and thereby reduce the normal height of the recess 53. When the horizontal flange 3| of the binding strip is driven into the recess, it spreads the recess. In this way, toa certain extent, the frictional tension of the clamping strip can be predetermined by the tension applied by the clamping screws 54. However, the strips are preferably made with sufficient initial tension satisfactorily to hold the clamping strips under frictional tension so that even should the wood rot out or the screws otherwise lose their tension, the binding strips would not easily be pulled out of the recesses 53. The linoleum or other covering 55 in this instance is cemented directly to the top surfaceof the wooden top 50 and also to the top surface of the upper iiange of the clamping strip 52, which in effect, forms a continuation of the top surface of the wood. In this instance also the linoleum may be cemented in place and trimmed with the clamping strip as a guide, before the clamping strip 30 is applied. Where the clamping strips are used on a counter for example, where because of the length of the counter, the strips cannot conveniently be continuous, they can be arranged with a butt joint as shown in Figure 14. An alining strip 46 entering part into one reach of clamping strip and partly into the other, and disposed at the back of the recess 53 can be used in conjunction with such a butt joint. In this case, if the spaced holes do not come in the right position, suitable holes can be drilled for the clamping screws 54 which will extend not only through the upper and lower anges of the binding strip, but through the alining strip 46 as well. In Figure 15 I have shown a modified form of binding strip of an elongated G-shaped cross-section where the binding strip itself gives sufllcient thickness to simulate the thickness of an overhanging top construction.

I claim:

1. An edge construction for furniture tops 0r the like comprising means presenting a top surface for the reception of a layer of linoleum cemented thereto and including a pair of vertically and resiliently spaced horizontal plates at its periphery forming a smooth-walled marginal recess, and a binding strip of angular cross-section having a horizontal flange entering and retained in said recess solely by friction and a vertical ange embracing the edge of the covering material,the horizontal iiange of the binding strip being operatively insertable in the recess after the linoleum is cemented in position on the top surface.

2. A combined cabinet unit comprising a group of equi-height cabinet units of rectangular plan having vertical lateral walls extending from top to bottom in substantially the planes of the respective edges of their tops and having horizontal marginal slots immediately beneath the tops of the several cabinet units, aligning strips between immediately adjacent cabinet units extending laterally into each of the marginal slots along the tinuous layer of surfacing material covering the combined areas of the tops of the grouped cabinet units, and marginal binding strips engaging the edges of said surfacing material and retained within said marginal slots about the perimeter of the combined cabinet units.

3. A battery of juxtaposed sheet metal cabinet units presenting a combined top surface for the reception of a sheet of surfacing material each unit having a fiat top plate and lateral sides extending from the bottom to the peripheral edges of the top in substantially the vertical planes thereof but leaving a peripheral horizontal slot immediately beneath the top plate for the reception of horizontal aligning plates along the juxtaposed edges of the units of the battery and for the reception of the attaching flanges of binding I strips for the edges of the surfacing material along the perimeter of the battery.

4. An edging for top surface members of desks and the like comprising a top surface supporting element, a frame-like main edge member having u a generally horizontal flange underhanging the said supporting element and an integral ange depending from the outer edge of the horizontal ilange, the horizontal flange having an outer portion oiset downwardly from the bottom surface of the said supporting element and an inner portion secured to said element, and an edge strip along said surface member, said strip having an inwardly directed horizontal flange between said element and said offset flange portion, said flange of said strip contacting with and being secured in place solely by said downwardly offset portion and said element.

5. A furniture top comprising a metal supporting plate, a main metal frame supporting said plate, each side of said frame being composed of upper and lower substantially horizontal webs connected by a transverse web; each upper web comprising an inner portion engaged with and fixedly secured to the bottom of said plate and a resilient outer portion spaced downwardly from the bottom of said plate, and a generally i.- shaped edge strip about said top, said strip having one of its legs disposed between the bottom of said plate and said outer portion of said upper web, said leg being of greater thickness than the unsprung distance between the bottom of said plate and said outer portion of said upper web whereby said leg will be tightly clamped by and between said plate and said outer portion of said upper web, the other leg of said strip extending upwardly and along the perimeter of said top.

JAMES R. CLARK, 

